"Director, this time we're going to make a killing! My men are getting restless seeing Wen Hao's men living the high life. If this continues, morale will plummet!"
"Yes, my team members are also constantly complaining. In the future, we will focus on collecting clues about smuggling cases like this. In this world, you need money to feel at ease."
These trusted confidants were discussing amongst themselves, all of them old subordinates of Cui Guangqi. There were many things they didn't need to be ashamed of, as they had done such things before.
Cui Guangqi, a cigarette dangling from his lips, gently exhaled smoke rings as he listened to his men's conversation, his gaze sweeping over Deng Yuankai, who had remained silent.
"Old Deng, what are you thinking about?" Cui Guangqi suddenly asked.
When Deng Yuankai heard Cui Guangqi's question, he quickly looked up and said with a smile, "I wasn't thinking about anything. I haven't been feeling well lately, and I just can't muster the energy to do anything!"
Qin Xiangrong, standing to the side, said with a smile, "Old Deng is getting old now. He used to stay on guard for two days and two nights when arresting people, but he's still as swift and decisive as ever when it comes to taking action!"
Everyone laughed when they heard this. They were all colleagues for many years and knew each other very well. They chatted amiably for a while, which also diverted Cui Guangqi's attention.
They chatted there, but time passed little by little, and by 10 p.m., there was still no movement from the warehouse below.
At this moment, it was Deng Yuankai's turn to monitor from the window. He looked back at the others, and they had lost their enthusiasm for chatting. Some were whispering, some were wiping their pistols, and Cui Guangqi was lying on the sofa with his eyes closed, resting.
At this moment, footsteps sounded on the quiet street, which immediately piqued Deng Yuankai's interest. He turned his binoculars and looked over, and under the dim streetlights, he discovered that it was a street vendor who specialized in delivering late-night snacks.
This is unique to Shanghai: vendors selling late-night snacks. Because Shanghai is a metropolis, many wealthy people have a rich nightlife and go to bed late, often not resting until midnight. At this time, dinner has been over for a long time, and they are inevitably a little hungry. So some vendors who sell snacks seize this business opportunity and deliver wontons or other snacks to wealthy families at this time.
Often, these families were too lazy to open their front doors. Instead, they would simply lower a rope from their upstairs window, attach a basket to it, and let it slide down. Inside the basket were a few cents. The food vendors would take the money, put a small bowl of snacks in the basket, and then the basket would be pulled back up, completing the transaction.
When Deng Yuankai saw the vendor, an idea struck him. He turned around and smiled, "I've been up all night and I'm really hungry. I'd like two bowls of wontons. Do you want some?"
Everyone immediately perked up upon hearing this. They were all strong, healthy men who got hungry quickly, and by this time they were already starving. Pei Tai took two steps to the window and just then saw the food vendor approaching. He quickly nodded and said, "I'm starving too. Let's ask if they still have any wontons for sale."
The others also gathered around, and were very happy to see the vendor. They all turned around and looked at Cui Guangqi sitting on the sofa.
Seeing the looks in everyone's eyes, Cui Guangqi smiled and said, "Since you're all hungry, why don't you buy a few bowls to eat? I won't take any. Just don't make too much noise, lest you startle someone!"
When everyone heard Cui Guangqi agree, they all smiled at each other. Deng Yuankai said with a smile, "Don't all crowd here, let me ask?"
Everyone knew that crowding around the window would be too conspicuous, so they all sat back down.
Deng Yuankai opened the window and called out softly, "Uncle, is there any more wontons?"
These vendors usually do familiar business and don't make a lot of food. Otherwise, if they come out and don't have any customers, they will lose money. Moreover, the porcelain bowls they use are recycled the next day. If the customers are not familiar with them, it is very troublesome to throw away the bowls.
Yes, yes!
The vendor, who happened to be downstairs, quickly agreed. He had made a lot of wontons today, but several of his regular customers hadn't bought any, and he was worried that he would have to lose money on his wontons today. He didn't expect that someone would want some on his way home.
Deng Yuankai took a bamboo basket from behind him, put a few banknotes in the basket, and lowered it out the window.
"Uncle, give us seven bowls of wontons. Don't take the bowls back, and keep the change. Consider it our payment!"
"Okay, okay, thank you, thank you!" The vendor was so happy that he didn't know what to say. His wrinkled face beamed with joy. This customer was so generous. He ordered so much and even paid for the bowls in advance. He could earn a little more money.
He quickly put down his load, went forward to take the bamboo basket, and looked at the few banknotes inside. He was overjoyed; this was more than enough money, and he had made a profit tonight.
He opened the lid of his carrying pole, ladled out a bowl of wontons, scooped out a spoonful of soup, sprinkled some chopped green onions, added an egg skin, poured in bone broth, and twelve wontons floated up together. He then sprinkled a little pepper into the bowl, making it steaming hot and fragrant.
The seven bowls of wontons were quickly brought up. There were seven people in total. Although Cui Guangqi said he didn't want any, Deng Yuankai still took his share.
The aroma of the wontons had already whetted everyone's appetites, so they rushed forward, each vying for a piece, laughing and joking as they snatched it up.
Just as Deng Yuankai was about to pick up the last bowl of wontons, he flicked his right sleeve, and a paper packet fell into his hand. With a gentle push, he tore a small hole in the packet, revealing the white powder inside.
With his left hand, he took the steaming bowl of wontons, while simultaneously reaching for the rim with his right. As long as he grabbed the rim, he could poison the bowl without anyone noticing.
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